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Man dies doing what he loves during Iowa State Fair

Jerry Triplett marched in Wednesday’s State Fair parade downtown, but he didn’t make it home. His family said he died doing what he loved.

Man dies doing what he loves during Iowa State Fair

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Updated: 7:01 AM CDT Aug 9, 2013

WINTERSET, Iowa —

Jerry Triplett marched in Wednesday’s State Fair parade downtown, but he didn’t make it home. His family said he died doing what he loved.

Kimmie Triplett is one of hundreds of children who have played in her grandfather’s backyard 10-hole mini-golf course over the years. Everyone is welcome, just knock on the door and ask.

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The covered bridge hole is part of the backyard course Triplett built after retiring from the Winterset School District.

The course only begins to tell Triplett’s story. He had a patriotic streak that was matched only by his dramatic streak. He appeared as Uncle Sam at dozens of events around central Iowa -- singing God Bless America or variations of it when he could.

He had a rendition of God Bless Lolo Jones. He ran dozens of races and marched in countless parades as Uncle Sam, eventually convincing the whole family to run with him.

He was known to Winterset students as the poster boy of politeness. He jumped out of an airplane in Uncle Sam wardrobe last summer at age 78. He biked across the country with a group celebrating Iowa’s 150th anniversary in 1996.

This year’s State Fair parade was his last appearance as Uncle Sam. While walking back to the car, his family said he had a heart attack and fell.

Triplett’s daughter said one of his favorite things to do was volunteering as a delivery driver for a local florist every Valentine’s Day, so he could serenade those receiving flowers.